UK lockdowns likely to be extended, possibly into the summer

London — The UK’s third coronavirus lockdown looks set to endure as the government warns it’s too early to contemplate easing restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and home secretary Priti Patel did not repeat previous assurances that the UK will be getting back to normal by April, even as the mass vaccination programme continues to expand to reach 5-million people.

Instead, the government focus has shifted to reinforcing compliance with the current restrictions, amid concerns that too many people are still flouting the rules, making it harder to control the spread of the disease.

Ministers are considering making £500 payments to everyone who tests positive for Covid-19, to persuade more people with symptoms to come forward for testing, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday. The policy, which would cost about £2bn a month, would be designed to overcome people’s fear of losing income if forced to self-isolate by a positive test, the paper said, citing a document dated January 19.

Patel announced new police fines of £800 will be imposed on people caught attending house parties. When asked if the public should book summer holidays, she said the advice now is to stay home. “It’s far too early to say or even speculate when we can lift restrictions,” she said. “This country remains in the grip of a pandemic.”

Summer

Earlier, Johnson was asked if the lockdown may need to last into the summer andhe  did not rule it out, warning only that the new coronavirus strain is “much more contagious” and that the UK faces “what is unquestionably going to be a tough few weeks ahead”.

Their comments suggest a gloomier outlook than just days ago, when ministers were saying they hope to begin opening up the economy in the first half of March.

Johnson is under pressure from members of his Conservative Party who are pushing for him to outline a plan to ease the lockdown as soon as the government meets its target to vaccinate the 15-million most vulnerable people, a goal he wants to achieve by February 15.

“Vaccinations will, of course, bring immunity from Covid-19, but they must bring immunity from lockdowns and restrictions too,” Tory lawmaker Mark Harper, chair of the party’s Covid Recovery Group, said in a statement. “This cycle of lockdowns and restrictions causes immense damage.”

Rules

Shops, restaurants and schools are closed, and people have been told to stay at home unless absolutely necessary. The restrictions threaten to push the economy into another recession, after suffering its worst decline in three centuries.

Northern Ireland’s devolved government announced an extension to the region’s lockdown to March 5.

The latest UK data showed 1,290 people died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 95,829, the highest death toll in Europe. It’s had a succession of records this month of both new cases and daily deaths.

Patel said that while most people are obeying the rules, a few are exhibiting “irresponsible behaviour” that poses “a significant threat to public health”.

Fines for attending parties will double for every further breach to a maximum penalty of £6,400, she said. Party organisers already faced £10,000 fines. The new enforcement action will apply to any gatherings of more than 15 people discovered by police, as ministers get tougher on those breaking lockdown restrictions.

Vin Diwakar, the National Health Service (NHS) medical director for London, said the UK is facing its biggest public health crisis since World War 2, and likened breaking the rules by hosting or attending large parties to “switching on a light in the middle of a blackout in the Blitz”.

“It doesn’t just put you at risk in your house,” he said. “It puts your whole street and the whole of your community at risk.”

Bloomberg